Firearm.



J. D. PBDBRSEN.

FIREARM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 1912.

Patented Sept. 9, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J. 1). PEDERSEN.

PIREABM'.V

APPLIQATION FILED Nov. 11l 1912.

Patented sept.`9,1913.

e SHEETS-SHEET a.

Patented Sept. 9,1913.

B SHEETS-SHEET 3.

KNAW. Y M.. A ...e L r 4, r l., -uw 1m f -1 -w e 1 v 1 @i W 1% llv 117..: H i:

1. D. PBDBRSEN.

FIRBARM.

. APPLIUATION FILED 11017.11, 1 912.

-l Joh nPedenSel/a, rg/his mty, g l

J. D. PDBRSBN.

FIRBARM.

nrmcmlon FILED Nom-171, 1912. 1,072,982. Patented Sept.9,1913.

s` sHBBTs-snnm 4.

v 4 .7h zijn? ///QW1 By J.- D. PEDBRSEN.

- FIREARM.

AP'PLIOATION FILED Nov. 1 1, 1912.

- l Patsnted Sept. 9, 1913.

` e SHEETS-SHEET e..

TED srafrns PATENT.' ormoni."

JOHN n'rnnnnsnn, cr'saeitson, Waremme..

Masami.

arms, and more particularly to breech-loading firearms of the slide-action class.

` The object of the invention is to provide improved devices and combinations of mechanisnr whereby center-fire, high-power cartridges may be rapidly and more safely passed or transferred from the magazine and into the loading chamber, ready for delivery into thebarrel of the iirearm.

For4 illustrating my present Aimprovements, I have herein shown them adapted and applied vto the mechanism of the lefthand slide action fire-arm which is described in the Letters Patent of the United States,

No. 963,171, granted to me July 5, 1910,to which reference may be had for a more'detailed description of those features of the mechanism which are not mentioned herein, or which, although mentioned, are not herein f ul1y` described. In that patent, the mech-` anism of the firearm is re V.resented las" being arranged and titted lfor using rim-cartridges of the center-fire kind, while in this applica` tion I have represented the mechanism .as being tted or adapted for using cartridges of the so-called rimless style, but having the same' centrally located primers.' The rotection of. the prim r of one cartridge against accidental firing from contact with the bulletof the leading, or most rearward, cartridge, While this latter cartridge is being transferred from the magazine into the barrel of thefirearm, is a principal object or"- my present invent-ion; other objects and features 'are set forth in the following descrlption.

For conveniencein describing the mechanism of the firearm, this may be considered 'as comprising a breechmechanism which mainly consists of two principal 'echanisms, of which one is the breec block mechanism and the other, the action-mechanism. The iirst of these two.mechanisms in the4 form and arrangement thereof yshown yin the drawings, comprises the breech-b1ock and the several details appertaining thereto; and, the second said mechanism com rises a magazined action-bar with lts cartrl gewaar# spiaoauo of Letters raten. Application ined Nqvember 11; 1912. serialno. 730,557. s

APatent .no4/1,5668, dated Nov.v 19., 1912.

'- Patentepdsepaaieis. y

rie'r or elevator, andthe details appertaining thereto. These mechanismsl are herein. shown arranged in substantially the manner. illustrated and desorbed'in 'mysaid prior 60 Patent No. 963,171, and to facilitate comparison, the corresponding details are herein usually designated (in a general way) by the same .reference characters. In additionA to the features above referred to, I have also illustrated herein certain l. improvements comprising a 'scar-.lock ,device and certain combinations in connection therewith, which` constitute 4in part the subject-matter voi my y 70 vIn the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciticationzFigure .1 is a plan or top View of the receiver of the gun.- mechanism ando'f the rearward portion of the barrel, some parts being broken away for showing certain'details. Fig. 2 is a Sectional side elevation,y showing the breech-block mechanism and the action-bar. 'mechanism of the firearm, both being lin 'thel firing `position. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevationv 80 similarto Fig. '2, but showing the mechanism with the details thereof in a relative position which they .will normallyoccupy .on the partial retraction. of the block-mechanisln by the rearwardly.I moving action-mechanism. This view shows an'empty shell, as X, drawn back nearly to the position for ejection through the side opening 39, as mor fully described in mysaid prior paten Fig, 4 isa view corresponding to the middle 90 portion of Fig. 3, for showing theparts di 'rectly'involved in the retraction of a canv tridge, and in the transfer of the same into theloading chamber forward. of the re: tracted breech-mechanism; this `View Shows 95 a leadin cartridge, X', initially elevated for the nal elevation ortransferinto the loading chamber. Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4, but. showing the opera.

tlon of transferring the cartridge advanced loo slightly beyond the position shown 1n Ij`1g. 4. Fig. 6 is a sectionalside view-similar to Figs. 4 and, for iliustrating a more advanced stage'in the cartridge elevating operation; this view shows the cartr1dge with 105 the head-flange, g', thereot overlappin .the

ri -point opemn fin the 'breech-bloc 25. Fig. 1s a view simzr-to F.1gs ..4, 5`and 6, andv shows the cartridge-elevating 'mechanism 1n its extreme up er position, with. the cartridgeelevated mtoalinementwlth'the bore of the barrel 24. Fig, 8 is a view .similar to Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, but shows the operating mechanisms moved farther over toward their firing position, the leading cartridgebeing partiallyentered into the bore of the barrel;

this view shows the next-following cartridge shifted upwardly, and there detained awaiting the further forward movement of the action-mechanism, while the retractor-elevator has resumed its idle or lower position. Fig. 9 is a view similar to the preceding Figs. 2 to 8, but shows the action-mechanism advanced nearly to its forward position, and indicates the breech-block mechanism as being in a corresponding position; this view particularly illustrates the manner in which vthe said neXt following cartridge, as X2,

is delivered into position at the rear vof the magazine-tube ready for retraction after the loaded-in cartridge, X, shall have been fired. Fig. 10 is a sectional view in line Y-Y, Fig. 3, showing the parts at the left hand of said line as seen from the righthand thereof. Fig. 11 is a sectional View in the' line Z-Z, Fig. 3, showing parts at the left hand of said line as seen from the right hand thereof. Fig. 12 is a side view mainly in section, and corresponding to a portion of Fig. 2, for showing the relations between certain features of the breech-block mechanism and of the action-mechanism at a moment just preceding the retraction of the scar-lock for permiting the firing of the loaded-in cartridge. Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view drawn in alinement with and 'I above Fig. 12, for illustrating certain feaconnection with certain .parts indicated byV dotted lines, as hereinafter more fully described Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view of a` portion of Fig. 12, showing the Sear-lock mechanism in the same position as illustrated in Fig. 12, onan enlarged scale. Fig. 17 is a view the same as Fig. 16, opting certain details are shown in a diffe it position. Fig. 18 isa plan view on a scale corresponding to Figs. 15, 16 and. 17, of the member 36in the form and arrangement shown in `thoseyiews.l Fig. 19 is a plan view ofthe action-bar which constitutes the rearward end of the magazine action-mechanism, and which serves as a frame-work and carrierfor the operating details, as illustrated 1n the preceding sectional side views,

and is 'hereinafter further explained. Fig. 20 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the action-bar shown in Fig. 19. Fig. 21 is a sectional view on the lineal-J, Fig. 20, looking in the direction of theV arrow von the said line J-J. Fig.` 22 is a similar sectional view of the action-bar on thev line .l1-J1, Fig. 20, looking i'n the direction ofthe arrow on said section line. Fig. 23 is an end elevation of the action-bar as seen from the right hand in Figs. 20 and 24. Fig. 24 is a side elevation of the action-bar, and is drawn in alinement below Fig. 2O for convenience of comparison therewith. Fig. 25 is an end elevation of the action-bar, as seen from the left hand in Fig. 24. Fig. 26 is a plan view of the underside of the actionbar, as seen from below in Figs. 19 to 25 inelusive. Fig. 27 is a cross sectional View of the action-bar in line J2-J2, Fig. 20, looking in the direction of the arrow in said section line. Fig. 28 is a small detail view taken on the line .T3-J3 of Fig. 4, looking in the direction of the arrow on said line, for illustrating the relation of certain features of the cartridge-controlling devices in the action-mechanism, and for this purpose this iigure is drawn at the right hand of and in alinement with the corresponding parts in Fig. 4, as .indicated by the connecting dotted line 19. Fig. 29 is a sectional view in the line ,T4-.J2 Fig. 5, looking in the direction u of the arrow in said section line, for further illustrating the devices shown in Fig. 28, and in connection with the illustration of the same features in the preceding figures. Fig. 30 is a diagram or chart illustrating the movements of a cartridge followingV through the operation of the gun-mechanism, from the position shown at X2, Fig. 2, through the successive stages illustrated 1n Figs. 3 to 9 inclusive, and thence to the'iiring position shown at X in Fig. 2; the path of travel of the center of the cartridge-head through the successive positions being 1nv dicated by the dotted line 20, in the case of a cartridge of the proportions herein shown and when used in a mechanism also substantially of the proportions herein shown, and referring to the movements of the cartridge in the gun-mechanism considered as a whole. Fig. 31 is a diagrammatic view corresponding to a portion of Fig. 30, but indicating by dotted line 20B, the normal path of movement of the center of the cartridge-.head in and with relation to the action-bar, and to the forward face of the breech-block.

Similar characters designate like parts in all the figures.

Such reference characters as are shown in the drawings and are not mentioned herein, will be found described in my said priorl patent in connection with features not essentially or fully involved or included in the Vsubject-matter of this application.

The parts shown herein, and which are.l

or may be the same, or substantially the same as illustrated and described in my said` prior Patent No. 963,171, comprise the following: The frameor receiver, 21,and its interior space and guiding surfaces for the block-mechanism (including the recoil abut-Y ment 26) and yfor the -action-bar; the butt stock and its attaching means; the barrel, 24; the actionfbar 27, with its tubular maga-v zine,l and 'excepting the block-actuator por-1 tion thereof, herein designated in -a general way by B; the trigger'plate 22, and its attails and appurtenances; the loading door 52, (except as to the upper surfacethereof) with its opening 52a, and the pivot and spring therefor; the slidable breech-block,

25, with its cartridge-holding grooves and lips,vcams' and-shoulders, its locking face 25, andthe means for engaging or carrying the several operative parts,-except as to certain features hereinafter described and not shown in said patent; the firing-pin, 30, with its Sear-catch, actuator 37, lock-pivot 35, main-spring 33, and Sear-pivot 32; Athe Sear, 31;' the reciprocatory inertia-member, as 37, with its connected shell-ejector, 40,

vand its operative connectionv at 36a with an arm of the action-bar lock; and the dev-ice,

as 38, for manually disengaging the actionbar lock..

In this application, inplaceof the actionbar lock 36 of said prior Patent No. 963,171,

. I have herein shown substituted "therefor a tively-.supported thereon andi located between the depending sidewalls of the block.' .For directly co-acting with th etwo members 31l and 36, and for indirect y`but positively 00L-acting throughthesemembers with .the firing-pin and other members, I have herein shown the rotatively-retractable Sear-lock, k,

supported on apivot k1, -and having the lock-face c",-lactuator bearing-face k3, en-I gaging actuator t, and the retractor-bearing face c. The Sear, 31, yand the searflock, .76, with their actuators .andconnected details andl the combined Seas-lodxmctuatorj-.and

'block-actuator-lock, as involved in crtain combinations of these parts in and with the breech-block mechanism, constitute in part subjects-matter Awhich'are set forth'in my saidPatent No. 1,044,568, in which I have 70 more fully described and have claimed the same. The foregoing devices, however, are herein shown as constituting in part other subjects-matter not illustrated or described in my said prior application, but which are described and claimed. in this'application.

The term slide-ble is herein employed in respectof the breechblockand the breech? block mechanism, to designate any suit-able 'forward and rearward movement thereof, such, for instance, as, may in any given 1nstance be found convenient for withdrawing that device or mechanism out of the loading'- chamber; :ind this movement may be rect-1- linear or approximately soor may in some g5 cases be of a modified character, without departing from my present invention: The term Aup\\\'a1d.or upwardly, is here1n ap plied to the movements of the cartrldgel elevating or transferring devices, and to other features, for indicating an yupward movement or direction thereof when the fireann islocated with the barrel about horizontal and above the magazine, this being, .of course, the more usual position 1n which a 95 firearm of the small-arm class is held for aiming and firing. y A,

The action-mechanism, in a firearm of the class herein illustrated, being slidable with `forward position; if the cartridge' in the ,barrel shouldbe fire while this mechanism is slightly retracted, ut not far enoughJ tov prevent the firing-pin reaching the primer, then va violent forward movement of this inechanism relatively to the frame would instantly take place from the recoil of thev frame, with the result that the two rearward cartridges in the magazine would ,be driven together with a heavy blow which would be liable to fire the forwardsaid cartridge, and would possibly deform the head of the rearward `cartridge to the extent of rendering this cartridge unusable, and so block the further operation of thev firearm; For the purpose, among others, of preventing such an accidentalor virregular operation, I have devised `a system of locking de-4 vices, the co-a'ctions o-rv effects of which extend through the ent-ire train of operative.- mechanism; this system comprises a plu rality of locking devices which are arranged in part in the action-mechanism for pos 1, .tively controlling the rearward cartridge .1n the magazine, vand in part in the breech` 125 block-mechanism, for holding the sear located against retraction from the retracted firing member` until after the a ct1on-bar' shall have been positively locked' lnlts extreme forward position, for thereby prelittle resistance when very near its extreme 10Q venting the direct operation of the actionmechanism from the initial stage of the recoil, and also thereby preventing such an improper operation of this mechanism from interfering with the proper operation and control of a cartridge located in the rearward end of the magazine. Thus, for supplementing and extending the devices and combinations of mechanism as set forth in my said prior patent, my ,present invention comprises or provides two rlocking members, one of which is applied to the ybreech-lolock-mechanismy for locking the the breech-block mechanism and is arrangedr in a combination with the action-bar lock; and is also arranged for operation in alternate directions by the corresponding alyternate movements of the reciprocatory firing-member f.in the breech-block. Similarly, for co-acting directly with the cartridge locking device, I have provided a guide-stop device which is located on the frame and is arranged for operation in alternate rdirections during corresponding reciprocatory movements of the action-mechamsm.

On firing the charge, the first e'ect is, of course. the recoil of the frame and the rigidly connected parts, including the breech-block and its complement of operative members, which all move back together. Owing to the inertia of theaction-mechanism, and the slidable mannerf in which this is supported by the frame, the first effect of the recoil is, evidently, to hold this mechanism forwardly relatively to the frame; but on the re-action, or counter-recoil, instantly following the primary recoil, the action-mechanism, as I apprehend, tends first to move backwardly and then to move forwardly relatively to the frame. These violent and intense alternating recoil-actions take place so quickly that in some cases,-especially whilethe firearm* is in some unusual position,a1l the cartridges Awould be driven forwardly in themagazinetube during the initialV back-stroke of this tube, were not means provided for effecting the prior retraction-engagement of the rearward cartridge with some part of theV action-mechanism; and for the same reasons,

vthe leading cartridge might possibly be disf- 'connected from that engagement were not `means provided for positively 'maintaining said enga gementduring the earlier stages Of the recoil and reactlon; And when such means are provided for both of those pur-v poses, there may still occur asimilar separation or forward movement of some cartridges away from the positively held leading, or rearward cartridge, with the result of causing the point of said first or leading cartridge yto strike a heavyblow against.

the head of the second, or following cartridge, and should this blow come upon the primer, said following cartridge might thereby be prematurely exploded while in the'y magazine.r This danger, which is largely increased by the more recent and f greatly-extended 'use ofhigh-power explosives and sharply pointed steel bullets, is effectively provided against by those feat'ures of my present impr vementsr whereby the leading cartridge, vw/hi said retraction-engagement, is shifted to and rpositively held in the offset ,and inclined position which is herein designated as the primer-safety position.y

yThe complete mechanism in the 'form' herein illustrated, comprises three principal ,reciprocatory mechanism-components, the

breech-block mechanism, the guide-stop device, and the magazine action-mechanism which actuates the other two-0f these components. The action-mechanism is slidable below the barrel, and in part below the breech-block mechanism, with which it connects for operating the same'rearwardlyr out of, and forwardly into, the loading-chamber in' the frame at the rea-r of the barrel. Alongside of the action-mechanism and forward of the loading-chamber, the guide-stop device is supported on the frame, preferably for rearward and forward movement'and When may be operated by guide-,actuating faces, as l2 and 123,'(Figs. 19 and 20) suitably located on the action-bar 27, this bar being the frame of the action-mechanism. rIhe stroke of the action-mechanism is in excess of the stroke ofthebreech-block, and this has astroke'in excess of the length of the cartridge, while the reciprocation of the guidestcp is relatively short, and its forward ystroke takes'.placel after the completion of the forward lstroke of the breech-block, and during the forwardmovement of the actione being placed in mechanism relatively to the breech-b1ock.`

as herein employed, I refer to the bore or chamber in` the action-mechanism, and

-which is located, preferably and for conimanes l renicnce, below the barrel, and in which the supply of cartridges is stored or held in reserve. This bore es 9, Fig. 3, extends forwardly from near the rearward end of the 4action-bar to or nearly to the front end thereof. The forward part of thisA magazine or chamber may, in practice, be conveniently supplied by using a tube-extenf sion, as 9a, fixed in the forward end ofthe action-bar 27. Thus the magazine may be said, in a reverse order, to extend from near the front end of the said tubular-part 9al rearwardly to the transverse wall or stopface 3d, at the rearward end of the leading s cartridge X1, when this is in the retractionposition indicated in Fig. 2.

The arrangement and mode of operationv of the mechanism, in a general way, particularly of those parte land details shown in my said prior Patent 1,944,568, maybe briey described as follows :-'l`he springactuated firing-member, 39, when retracted, is held by the catch 31e on the Sear 3l engaging` with thesear-eatch and is disengageable by a snitahle trigger, as 46; @n firing a cartridge, Athe recoil operating throng'h the inertia-.block 37 and its connection with the arm 36B, acts in a forwardly `direction to .tarn or oscillate the member 36 on its pivot 35 and retract the bearing face 36h of said member 36 away from the Sear-.lock 7c, which thus 'becomes operable by its actuator t, for locking the scar. 'lhns the breech-block mechanism comprises two scar-lock actuators, (as t and 37a) which operate on the Sear-lock, the one {t} directly and continuously, and the other {378'} indirectly and intermittently. The actuator, 37a is normally of greater power than the device i, and is .operated into active relation with the lever-arm 36 by the backward stroke of the tiring-pin member. When the Sear-loch lo is retracted (Figs. 2

and 1 7? it is held in this position by the4 retractor-arm until this device shall itself be shifted into its own-retracted position, Figs. 3, l2 and 17. rlhis retraction of the searlock-re'tractor is directly eieete-d by the forward stroke of the firing-member. By this means the scar-lock is released and allowed at once to assume a'. normally engageable position relatively tothe Sear on the firingpin nearing the forward end of its stroke. The rncfrnfbtrv 36' is operatively-intermediate between the soar-lock and the firing-pin member, and also between the Sear-lock and the block-actuator B, of the action-bar, and also between the searflock and the entire block-mechanism., and the shiftable guidestop member D, which is hereinafter more fully described.

The actuator B, during its rearward stroke' relatively to the block 25, constitutes combined in one device, a firing-pin retrac- @5 tor and a retractor for the sear-lock-retracmitter-connection for retaining the Sear in locked position until this block-actuator and the guide-stop D have been locked in ring-` position. The breech-block 25 has an extended longitudinal movement in the receiver, 21, and at' its forward end has an upward movement into engagement with a frame abutment 26, and has a downward movement for disengaging its face 25a from such frame abutment. 'These movements are imparted to the block 25 by the actionbar 27, the rearward end of which has inclined faces and other-,details (also more fnlly described in my said patent) whereby this part oit the action-bar servesv as the block-actuator for both the longitudinal and the upward andA downward movements, and 35 thus serves atthe end of the forward stroke as a block-lifting device or block-placer, and at the beginning of the rearward stroke thereof as a block-depressing device, or `block-releaser. I

The normal position ofthe sear-loc'lr-retractor at the moment after ring a cartridge, is shown in Figs, 12 and l6.` At this time the sliding member 30 is in its eX- treme forward position in the block 25, and g5 the loclr '36 has its forward lever-arm 36m below theguide-surface or stop-face 27 of the block actuator'B, which is thus left free to be slid Arearwardly by the operator, as in Fig. 3. @n this movement taking place, the no block-actuator B first passes over the lockarm 36m, and depresses the block out of engagement with the recoil abutment 2G, said lock-arm 36m being held in said downward position until the block-actuator B again 105 goes forward and elevates the' block into engagement with said recoil abutment, as in Figs. 2 and l2. When the forward movement of the member B is fully completed, the face 27 passes forward of the locklo end 36m (see Fig. 12), which is instantly forced up rearwardly of the block-actuator B, and also instantly retracts the scar-lock lc from the soar, and thereby permits the sear to be withdrawn from the firing-pin'. m5

Thus the member B operates not only as the block-actuator but also operates to time or delay the retraction of the lock k until after this block-actuator has been itself placed and locked in the firing position. The 20 block-actuator, B', is also the tiring-pin retractor, since on the back stroke thereof, its face 27 bears against the retraction-face 30c of the firing-pin 30, and so retracts or slides backward that member in the block 25 25, and the face 27 thus constitutes a safetystop against which the tiring-pin will strike if thrown forward at any time before said face 27 passes forwardly out of the range of movement of said face 30". 130

VAfter the retracted firing-pin is caught by the sear, and the block 25 has gone forward, the block-actuator B is then in full engagement with, and ready to begin the elevation of the forward end of the block. At this time, the forward end 36m of the combined actuator and lock 36, is still engaging under the inclined guide surface at 27 on actuator B, and is thusv held with its opposite end 36m1 retracted out of engagement with the scar-lock k (Figs. 3 and 16,) notwithstanding that at this time the actuator 37 has gone to a position rearwardly of the pivot 3o. As the block-actuator B is now drawn forward, this contact of arm 36 on the guide 27n keeps said arm retracted until after the forward end of the block is fully placed into its firing,

position shown in Fig. 2. During. the last part of this forward movement the retractor 5 on theelevator 60 normally engages the then leadingcartridge, and the `actuator B draws off from the lever-arm 36m (Fig. 12), and ythen passes beyond the range of the firing-pin stroke (Fig. 2) this permits the actuator 37 instantly to operate the mem- W ber 36, which then assumes its position in Fig. 17, where .it has retracted the searlock, 7c, out of engagement withthe searcatch 31e, and reset the inertia-member 37 in its rearward position ready'for being operated by the recoil, and permitting the fire-arm to be fired. On pulling the trigger, the firing-pin goes forwardand fires the cartridge, being permitted to do thisby the actuator face 27 being in vthe forward position shown in Fig. 2. This operation of the firing-pin carries the actuator 37 forward of the pivot 35 and thereby throws down the lock-end 36m of the member` 36, so that this lock-end will pass under the said guide-surface 27n on the'v next backward movement of actuator B; and atvf the lsame time the rearward arm 36' of this member 36 is retracted out of engagement with the Sear-lock 7c, which thus becomes engageable againl withA the sear when the proper moment arrives therefor. rl`he entire cycle of operations maynow be repeated as before. y

The block-actuator lB, simultaneously holds the sear-lock-retractor inits retracted position while .pushing back the firing-pin, and continues these Concurrent functions until it has pushed the block-mechanism back to the point where the member 37 forcibly meets a suitableframe abutment;

- the actuatonB lthus'operates directly on the sear-lock-retractor and operates indirectly through the block itself 'for `concurrently acting positively upon the searflock-retractor by the reaction of and from the fixed frame-abutment. Since the member 37 is also the ejector-actuator, (in connection with said abutmen-t,see said priorpatent) that positive retraction of the Sear-lock-retractor, the positive action of the shell ejector when the block reaches its fully retracted position, the maintenance of the compression of the transmitter-connection between the firing-pin and said sear-locl -re tractor while this is itself retracted, and the locking of the sear into lengagement with the firing-pin, all occur at the same time, on or 'by the full completion of thc lrearward stroke of the actuator B in the {ire-arm, and relatively to the breech-block and simultaneously with the retraction-elevator bringing a cartridge into transfer position below the loading chamber,` as hereinafter more fully explained.

When the mechanism is in position for firing, and should it then be desired to withdraw the unred cartridge, the operator by pressing on the plunger 38-moves forward the inertia-member 37, and through the arm 36a shifts the member 36 for atI once unlockingl the actuator AB and releasing the Sear-lock k, which thereupon locks the sear so the firing-pin cannot be released. The actuator B may now be retracted and the block 25 operated tofwithdraw and eject the unredicartridge. Inthis application I have used the terms ring-pin and firing-member as referring to the member 30 or to some form of device suitable for use in lieu thereof. l

Ifby any means, when the action-bar is near the end of its rearward stroke5 the sear becomes unhooked from lthe member 30, then this member may be thrown forward by the main-spring 33, and bear against the actuator B, and so cause an undue pressure upon the inclined draft-face c during the entire y riod ofthe upward operation of the cartridge-lifter 60. rlhe retraction of the searlock-retractor 86 secures the free action of the Sear-lock at that precise moment, and thereby permits the sear to be effectively locked against such an accident. Should the force of the main-spring be thus transmitted to the draft-face c', the inclination of this face would produce an upward pressure of the block 25, and a downward pressure of the actuator B, against their respective guide surfaces in the frame 21 and so create a frictional obstruction to the free and proper operation of the action-bar during the operation of thel cartridge-lifter 60, and therebycause wedging together of those sliding members, preventing their proper operation, 'and also preventing the operator from being .able to judge by feeling as to the manner of the action of the mechanism. Furthermore, should the, firing-member 30 be al lowed to follow forward against the actuator` B, on the nal part of this actuatonmovement, the vupward shifting of the block 25 intoits locked or firing position, (Fig. 2) would allow the firing-pin point,.30, to come into direct contact with the cartridge yand thus endanger the safety p mechanism, and with the block'25 and the 'started forward from its extreme rearward rimer, t e cartridge. In the usual rapidl action of the mechanism, t-hatlsmall'nal movement occurs in an extremel small fraction of a sec? ond, and this woul ,permit the firing-pin to approach the primer with a dangerous veloclty and p'ower. But by means of the describedl organization of the Sear-lock and its retractor, and of the compound` retractorelevator as herein combined with the actionsear and firing' member, those accidental results are edectively prevented.

During .the rearward movement of the magazine, as above indicated, the fresh cartridge X1, Fig. 3, thenL at the rearwardend of the magazine-tube, has been drawn backwardly into a osition under the loading chamber, and w en the action-mechanism is position, (in which the firing pin will .have been fully retracted and engaged with the sear,) the main elevator-member engages over the elevator-actuator and comes to the position indicated in Fig. 4, .whererthe further forward movementv of the actionmechanism will cause said actuator `65 to carryV the main elevator member 60 upwardly, and thus radually elevate orV transfer the cartridge rom the retracted position atkXl, Fig. 4, to the position shown at X1, Fig. 7, where the cartridge is fully elevated and is in engagement with the forward end of the breech-block ready ,for being carried forwardly in the bore of the barrel 24. After this, and during the further forward movement of the action-mechanism, the forward end of the breech-bloeitA mechanism is elevated into full engagement with the abutment or recoil face 26, (Figs. 2 'and l2) and thereupon the action-harlock 36 is thrown upwardly for locking the action-mechanism, and also theimovablefguide-stop D, in the forward position while the rearward end 36 of sear-lock-retractor 36 simultaneously retracts the scar-lock and thusV leaves the mechanism in condition fog` iring,'as in F 2. This 4operation of t-he mechanism lows, it will be seen, the description thereof which is given in said 4prior patent, and in Said pending application, as to such features 1s are therein illustrated. l will now explain more in detail regarding the organiza- ;ion, functions, and modes of operationof :ertain features and combinations which are :omprised my present improvements.A

As regards the functions of some details indN features ofthe action-mecha'nisafi,---espe- :ially asl to the guide-stop and the retraction-. elevatorr and certain combinations therevith,-'-the breech-block mechanism',alt ough n somerespccts of/:acompleXcha-racter, may e considered as a single element of a more omprehensive or extended ,combination, and

` and sovon the v tridge, these projections enter the headhence in some instancesl" have designated that com ou'nd element as the Sear-lock block-mec anism, this being provided with some suitable sear-loclr-retractor which -is operated by the combinedblock-actuator .and sear-lock-retractor actuator. This actuator, which is a part of the action-mechanism, may have, as herein illustrated, a working stroke considerably in excess of that 'of the block-mechanism, and be so arranged that the sear-lock-retractor is in its retracted position throughout the working stroke of the block-mechanism and is only released during the excess forward stroke of the action-mechanism, and after the co pletion ofthe forward stroke of the bloc -mechanisrn As in said prior patent, the upperftubewall of the magazineis shown provided at the rearward end with a cartridge outlet side-opening 55, corresponding inv location with the transfer position, or elevation-position, of the cartridge. In its retractionposition, X1, Fig. 2,"the cartridge extends a short distance back of the groove 3a, this being located rearwardly of the projections 55a and 55" which extend inwardly from t-he sides of themagazine (Figs. 19, 20, 22) and, which then stand directly above the rear end of the barrel or body port-ion of thefcar'tridge shell. On the preliminary lifting movement of' the cartridge, this moves upwardly, and rmoves forwardly in the magazine, from its -retraction-position in Fig. 2 to its elevation-position in Fig. 4,

thereby bringing its head-groove into alineinent with said guide-projections 55 and 55a,

urther elevation of the cargroove and Yhold the cart idge in positive `en- Y gagement with the action-bar until afterthe continued upward movement brings the cartridge also into similar positive engagement .with the similar projections 25 on the breech-block. The said projections or guides, 55a,- 558", are preferably extended downwardly (Figs. l8, 22) to a distance" which brings vtheir lower ends directly for- /ward of the -cartridge Hangeg before this comes fully up tothe elevation-position, so that when this flange lovesupwardly and forwardly as describe", and before Y this movement is completed,. these guides enter the head-groove and lare thus in position for engaging the forward .faceof. that cartridge flange, g,` in the most direct and effective mannen This operation' of the. cartridge is yfurther safe-guarded by the vcontinuing during such rearward movement of the positive engagement 'of the retractor-lifter 5 with the lower side of saidl ange g of the cartridge X1. Thus `the retractor-lifter by4 reason of its position-and the inclined directionof its rst upward fmovement, guides and tregulates, or restrlcts, the descr1bed movement f the cartridge-head, and tends to prevent any accidental throwing forward, whether by shock or otherwise, of the cartridge be-y fore this comes into locked engagement with rearward, or leading cart-ridge out of aline-A ment with the magazine axis, and also, preferably, `atvan inclination vto this axis. As shown in Fig. 2 for instance, the lcartridge X1 is elevated by the raised surface at 8, and is inclined by the combined action of this and other guiding surfaces or areas, especially by the'depresser-guide 3 aided by the l point-pressure derived from the usual magay herein more fully set forth, of inwardly-exzine-spring. The said guide surfaces are, it will be noted, arranged one of them, as .8, below the outlet opening 5,5. When the action-bar is forward, the surface 8 is also located above the lower line Vof the tube-wall 9, and at a distance from the axis of the tube which is less than the tube radius. Thusy the magazine inner-tube-surface may be said to have, adjacent to the outlet opening, inwardly-extending cartridge-inclining areas arranged for offsetting and guiding the leading cartridge, as X1, out of alinement with the following cartridge, as X?, for bringing the point of theone to bear in the safe-zone of the head of the other cartridge, as inv Fig. 2. A further feature is-that these cartridge-locating surfaces are arranged in successive positions circumferentially of the magazine, and also longitudinally thereof,

`and are so arranged that 'the leading cartridge is inclined and offset while the magazine is rin its forward position, and is thus maintained in that primer-safety position (Fig. 2) during the rearward movement of the action-bar and until the cartridge reaches the transfer-position below the load- ."ing chamber R. One feature of my invention, therefore', relates to the combination` 'in and with the magazine-tube and its outlet opening, and'with other elementselsewhere tending cartridge-locating surfaces which are so shaped; located ardarranged as to operate on the'most rearward and the next following cartridges in the tube, andby osetting and inclimng one said cartridge relatively to the other and relatively't'o the tube, to bring they said rearward cartridge into a primer-safety relation or position against `said next following cartridge, while the magazine is in its forward position; and t0 hold these cartridges such `relative primer-safety position during the retraction 'of the magazine through the distance of at least one cartridge-length. Also, this organization of the tube and those primersafety guide .surfaces or bearing faces, is supplemented and extended by the initial lifting-face 8a and by the lifter-face'b and the retraction-face 5a of the compound retractor-elevator, so that the faces and surfaces `of the two members and 5 of this elevator, coperate .with the guide-stop vl) and also with the other said cartridge-positioning guide faces of the magazine. Thus the leading cartridge X1 is held in primer-safety position before and during its retraction to the loading position, by the coaction of guide-faces of? which a portion of them are furnished .by the members which are, later in the operation of the firearm, to act for transferring such cartridge out of the magazine. p v K During the latter part of its forward stroke, they action-bar 27 brings the guidestop D to its forward position adjoining the depresser-guide 3 (Fig. 2) and does this in advance of the upward movement of the arm 36m of the sear-lock-retractor 3 6, so that the leading cartridge X2, Fig.` 9,/will be shifted by the action of those'guides and the lmagazinelspring, into the primer-safety position while the sear continues locked with the retractedl firing-member 30. Thus the entire train of mechanism is brought under safety-control, and the proper safe-guarding of the leading-cartridge is accomplished, and especially against any shock from the firing of the loaded-in cartridge, as X, Fig.` 2. e

A further and important practical result of. the mechanism herein described is that, on firing the cartridge the action-mechanism may be instantly retracted bythe 'operator withoutA the risk of-having the rearward cartridge fail to properly follow. When about to ire, an operator'while holding the gun will sometimes draw backwardly with the left hand on the Ausual handl/grip attached to the action-bar; and since this pull or tension is being exerted (in some cases, strongly exerted), at the moment of firing', and since the action-bar-lock is instantly released on and by* the firing and the recoil,

it follows that the actionbar sometimes may, in practice, be drawn back in a substantially automatic manner, and with a suddenness and at a velocity which would 'leave the magazine cartridges far behind.

This kind of accident will, of course, be r more frequent when the cartridges become sticky from rust fand dirt thereon, and thus less freely movable by the magazine spring. If the rearward cartridge fails from any cause to instantly and closely follow the rei tracting action-bar, of course the next load;

ing operation may be defeated, and so re- .sult in delay or ldanger.v For overcoming these objections, the cartridge-'elevatdr has been arranged not only to move with the action-bar but it is also arranged to be reliminarily engaged with the cartridge W ile the magazine is still in its forward position. This lifter or transfer means operates for different purposes, respectively, at two different locations and at two different stages of the operation of the mechanism, rst for positively engaging the leading cartridge, as X1, Fig. 2, and later, in a retracted position, Fig. 4, for initially lifting this cartridge. As a result of these features the magazine spring may be of less power than would otherwise be required, thus facilitating the convenient replenishing of the magazine.

In the normal o eration of the mechanism, and by reason of) therelative positions on the main actuator B ofthe face 27, for holding retracted the sear-lock-retractor, and the face 12 for forwardly actuating the guide-stop D, this guide member is set or moved forward fully to its said initial posit1on (Fig. 2) simultaneously with the release of said Sear-lock-retractor. Thus said guide-stop D is reset in position for receiv? lng and vguiding the next following cartridge, and is so reset at the instant before the firing-member becomes releasable: by the scar. Andwhen the sear-lock-retra'ctor is also, (as shown in this instance) an actionbar-lock, the locking of the action-.bar against retraction also occurs instantly the said movably-supported guide-stop reaches its said forward or initial position. The guide-stop being thus moved or slid forward by the guide-actuating face 12 on the main actuator B, 'and since this is itself locked in its forward position by saidraction bar lock 3G, therefore this lock 86 operates to also 40 lock the guide-stop in its forward position, and operates to do this concurrently with the retraction of the Sear-lock. Another giude-actuating face, 12"-, is located to actuate the member `D rearwardly. During the operation of setting and locking the guidestop in forward position, this guide and the lower, raised surface or guide-bearing 8 (in this instance on the loading-door 52) vmove forward together and in a direction opposed to the'action' of the magazine-spring; and during this movement the cartridge, X2, Fig. 9, normally slides and is guidedlel wardly into the retraction-position, Fig. 2,

and with the head-flange thereoflocked .rearwardly of `the retraction-face 5a of the elevator device. Thus during this operation .of receiving'l and locking the next following cartridge into proper retraction-engagement in the action-mechanism, this cartridge 1s safe-guarded by the Sear-lock andl its retractor, against Aany undue shock which nnght otherwise be caused by the premature or accidental releasing of the firing member. The member .36 is, therefore, a combined sear-lock-retractor, action-bar lock, aud

guide-stop lock. The guide-stop, D, is-also a cartridge-detainer', and is located, when the action-mechanism is in or near its forward position, in such a Working position and reationto the head-depresser guide 3 in the magazine, that when the cartridge then under detension shall be released, .the head of this released cartridge (which now becomes the leading Cartridge will be guided below and -free of the lower end of said detainer guide D, and thus be directed into the proper retraction position, Fig, 2. Thus said combined guide-and-detainer D operates at successive times-in successive ways. One function is to detain, or stop, the rearward movement of a following-cartridge when the leading cartridge has been carried rearwardly to the initial transfer-line, or position ;-see Figs. 3, 4 and 8,-another function .is to guide the cartridge in the manner and at the time asabove explained.

A further feature or function is to conf tinue that initial guidance and control of the cartridge-head after this engages with the retractor-elevator member 5, and until the rearward movement of the action-mechanism has attained such velocity that the cartridge, (as X1, then in retraction -vengagement therewith) will have acquired its A full momentum and so will normally con- 95 tinue its full rearward stroke without danger of accident or undue strain. Thisc'ontinued uiding-action and the period dur' ing which the same may be properly or preferably maintained, wlll be evident rom 10o Ja/comparison of the successive positions' of the mechanism and'cartridges as illustrated in the drawings. In Fig. 9, the head has` been depressed or guided downward, and in Fig. 2 has gone rearwardly into full enga-ge- 105 ment with the retraction-face 5a of the ele-y vator. In Fig. 3 the cartridge is shown retracted far enough to normally fully overcome its inertia, and also far enough for the actuator B to retract the firing-pin and the 110 sear-lock-retractor, and thereby safe-guard the cartridge against shock from a possible premature release of the Sear, should the firing-pin become rematurely retracted relatively to the bloc 25. v

The location of the guide-stop Djust forward ,of` the loadin -chamber R, brings the guide-surface 10, Fig. 2) directly opposite to andl into direct co-action with the retraction elevator member 5 in the rea-r- 120 ward part of the magazine bore 9, when the action-mechanism is forward, inv firing position. Thus. said guide-surface 10 is lov cated for holding the cartridge-head positively in engagement with said retraction- 125 elevator prior to the retraction of the searlock, and during the period while the ringmember is retractedand thesear is locked into engagement therewith, as elsewhere herein more fully described. 'These fea 130 tures are further illustrated in the chart, Fig. 30, showing the successive stages in the travel of the cartridge` in the mechanism.

Normally, of course, the sear-lock-retractor 36 is engaged by the action-mechanism at the instant the retraction-face 5 of this mechanism begins to retract the cartridge which is at that time under the positive `control of said guide D. Should the firingin 3l) now become fullyretracted relatively to the block 25, the sear would engage the firing-pin catch 30b and the scar-lock would be free to at once lock the sear into engagement with said firing-member. And should the action-mechanism be drawn back with extreme quickness at the moment when the firearm should receive a heavy shock rearwardly,as `by a blow for instance,-it is evident. the combined frictional resistance and inertia of the block might result in cocking the -liring-member before the block would be fully retracted, and before the leading cartridge had passed free of'said guide D; this guide therefore, bythus coacting directly with the action-mechanism while this acts on both the firing-pin and the sear-lock-retractor,safe-guards the cartridge against the conditions resulting from such a premature and abnormal operation. For instance, if that premature retraction of the firing-pin should occur to the full eX- tent -relatively to the block 25 and while this block is held forwardly in the loading chamber by abnormal friction or forces, the sear will normally engage the firing-member 30 and so prevent the main spring from driving the block backwardly with-*violence when the actionfbar overcomes the resistance ofthe block; but if that premature retraction of the firing-member should'not be the full amount evidently saidf'fspiing will at once throw" e block forvifdly with great force tl nstant .such abnormal resistance shall be overcome; but in this case, the guide-stop device D operates positively to hold the then leading-cartridge X1 in locked engagement with the retraction-face 5a until the proper coperation of all those members is restored, and thus prevent such a failure of operation.

The depressor-guide A3 is shown located on the action-bar rearwardly of the flangeguiding channel 3, which is formed by and between` the face-plane 8b, (Fig. 20) and the.

rearward surface of the head-guide 55B. This depressor-guide is also located in opposition to the retraction-face 5a of the depressible elevator-member 5 and with a 'suicient space between for receiving the head-flange g of avcartridge, Fig. 2, whereby this flange or rim may bear rearwardly upon its upper side against said depressor-guide 3, and bear forwardly at its lower side against said retractionA face 5a,- (Fig. 9) and whereby these relations of said guide and retractionface with the head-flange may, during the retraction', be continued (see Figs. 30, 31) and during the preliminary or imtial elevation of the cartridge head from the depressed retraction-position in Fig. 2 to the transfer osition. Thus supplemental elevator device 5 is depressible by said depressor-guide 3, which for this purpose acts through the head of the leading cartridge X1.

Prior to fully reaching its rearward position in the action mechanism (Fig. 2), the cartridge-head normally should partially depress the supplemental elevator device 5, in order to secure a 'proper engagement of the head-flange with this device. The faceplane 3.", it will be noted, corresponds in position with the face or front surface (Fig. 8) of the block 25, these two surfaces bel ing substantially in the same transverse plane relatively to each other while the block is being drawn forwardly by the action-mechanism and during the entire operation of transferring a cartridge from the magazine into the loading-chamber,see Figs. 4 to 9.

vIn the elevator-mechanism, when arranged in the preferredmanner illustrated, the relatively long-radius elevator member, as 60, is arranged to swing from a point 6l rearwardly of the cartridge head, while the relatively short-radius elevator member, as 5, is arranged to swing from a point 6 forwardly of the cartridge head.. And in the transfer-position, these members are so located that the face 58L of said shorter member 5 is located just forwardly of the headfiange g when the cartridge is in position 'for transferring to the breech-block mechanism. The upward swinging movements of each said elevator-member on its point of support is reversely of that movement of the Vother 'said member. A nd while the larger said member 60 is swung down, if the shorter said member 5 be then swung upward, said face then comes substantially into alinement with the guide of the action-mechanism (Figs. .4; and 8); and if the said member be then swung down.- ward, said face 5'!L moves rearwardly of said guides 55a (Figs. 2 and 9). When the main elevator member swings upwardly through an arc substantially greater than the arc of movement of the member 5 on its pivot 6, then the main elevator face at 4, by reason' ofits greater radial distance from its axis 61, moves upwardly faster and farther than said flange-engaging faces 5a and 5", and thusv the cartridge will becarried upwardly away from these faces 5a and 5b about the time the cartridge-flange g reaches the lower ends of the block guides 25c just afterl the position shown in Fig. 5. Byl reason of 'this manner of organizing those features of the mechanism, if during that early portion of the transfer movement, the operator should (as-he may readily do) reverse the movement even slightly of the action-mechanism, thereby lowering the elevator-members, the cartridge in falling downwardly for want of support will become rengaged with the face a of the said member 5, and will thus be prevented from i becoming released and misplaced in the 5b of the secondary elevator member 5. In

this case, as will now be evident, the flange g ,will ride along on that member which now becomes a spring-actuated presser de-' vice for forcing the cartridge-head upward into engagement with the flange-guide or guides 55, which then act to positively draw the cartridge backwardly with the action-mechanism, doing this, however, while the leading cartridge X1 is located in a line as high or higher than the axis of the following-cartridge X2, in about the position in Fig. 4. Thus the described preferred arrangement of the elevator-member 5 may have two dierent modes of operation, and

perform a vplura-lity of functions under varying conditions,` respectively. A

. Vhile the lifter 60 is carrying 'the cartridge head upwardly, Athe actuator B is holding the Sear-lock retractor 36 in its retracted position, and. thus the Sear-lock is permitted to be engaged with the lock and Sear into engagement with the now retractved iiringmember 30,- which is thereby double-locked in its own retracted position in the block during the entire period of time in which thel primer is passing-upwardly (Fig. 6) past the firing-pin opening f in the block-face. Thus the primer is safeguarded during such upward movement against any accident occurring, whereby the point 30t ofA the firing-member might 'project through said opening 'f and' so intercept the cartridge'iiange. I

The elevator device, when arranged and furnished substantially as herein set forth, constitutes a means for engaging and drawing backwardly a cartridge, and also constitutes in part the nieans for first inclining the cartridge into, and then holdingv the same in, the described. primer-safety-position, prior toandduring such backward movement. In Fig. 4, the cartridge X1, is shown in its elevation-position, and in aline- 4same longitudinal position relatively to the ment ready to be transferred upwardly by the main lifter 60 into the upper position shown in Fig. 7 and, it will be noted, the cartridge has in both of these views the block 25.

On the initial upward movement of the main elevator, 60, to the extent for normally bringing the main elevator-face 4; up to the shell of the cartridge, (between the positions in Figs. 4 and 5,) the inertia and frictional resistance tends to depress the supplemental elevator 5 relatively to said main elevator. This action results in applying to the uplifting or transferring of the cartridge, two forces of which one is relatively positive and is applied through the said face 4, While the other is a yielding or spring-actuated upward thrust which is applied through the lifting face 5b .of said member 5; and this latter action or' springpressure is normally begun at the timev the y main member 60 begins to move upwardly,

4so' that by the time said lifting face 5b reaches its position in Fig: 4 the spring- 90 pressure has already become effective under the head of the cartridge, and continues thus to assist in the transfer operation until the two co-acting elevator members 60 and 5 reach their positions inFig. 5, by which 95 .time the head-flange g has, or will usually have begun (or will be ready to begin) to enter the guide-channel on the front of the breech-block. Thus the transfer of the cartridge from its transfer-position into the Aloading-chamber, is effected by the concurrent operation of two thrust-forces, onev relatively positive and other yielding, these forces being applied to the cartridge at two points in its length, and with the positivelyacting force applied forwardly of a relatively yielding force or thrust which is applied directly to the cartridge head during the delivery of thecartridge out of the action-mechanism. mode of operation of the transfer-devices,l is found to be peculiarly favorable for securing a reliable operation of the mechanism under a wide range of conditions and speeds Y of operation, and with the firearmv in va- 116 rious positions. A

A further feature of the operation of the magazine and elevator-mechanism, is that the two lifting-faces 4 and 5" act in a succession which changes during this opera- 120 tion. -When the rearwardly-moving cartridge arrives at thelocation for point-release, (Fig. 4) the spring-actuated or yielding lifting-face 5" acts first, and later, on

the beginningof the upward movement of 126 the main elevator 60, acts concurrently with the positively-actuated or main lifting-face 4; and, afterward this main lifting-face continues to act after said yielding face 5" becomes inoperative upon thev cartridge. 130

This organization and Thus at the beginning the action of one lifting-face (the yielding face 5") is succeeded by the combined action of the two said faces 5b and 4; and, later, this concurrent or combined act-ion ofthe two said faces is succeeded by the continued act-ion of the one said main lifting-face 4. In the complete operation, therefore, the described actions begin with the rearwardly-located and spring-actuated' supplemental lifting-face, and terminate with the forwardly-located and positively-actuated main lifting-face. A further feature of these successive actions or stages of the complete operation, is that the lifting-action of the spring-pressure lifting-face 5b is accompanied by the continued operation of lthe retraction-face 5, and that the action of said forwardly-located main lifting-face 4is begun during that continued ico-action of said springpressure lifting-facev with said retractionface.

The cartridge-head g is normally held in its said depressed initial position, Fig. 2, by the rearwardly acting force transmitted to the point of the cartridge by the usual magazine-spring, and during the continuance of this action the head operates against the depressor-guide 3, and thus normally holds the supplemental lifter 5 also in its depressed position; but on therelease of the cartridge from such point-pressure at any rtime during the retraction ofthe actuator,

vthe supplemental lifter (operated by the spring 6a of suitable power therefor) at once lifts the cartridge-head which is thereupon guided forwardly and upwardly into' proper relation with the block 25 for being immediately thereafter carried up by the main-lifter 60 into the position shown in Fig. 7, and then continues lin this position during the remainder of that rearward stroke.

In moving upwardly from its retractionposition in Fig. 2 toits elevation-position in Figs. 3 and 4, the face 5a of the secondary elevator-member 5 passes forwardly across the line of the flange-guides 25c and, as shown in Fig. 4, stands free of andslight-ly forwardly of the head-flange. This leaves the cartridge for the moment in a free or unclamped condition favorable for the proper performance of the operation immediately to follow. On the beginning of the upward movement of the primary elevatormember 60, the said face 5a. rstswings or moves backwardly toward the head-flange, and so draws, or forces, the cart-ridge head back close to the guide face 3b of the actionbar, and thus serves to positively locate the flange g in correct position atvthe moment the cartridge passes upwardly out of engagementV with said secondary member 5. Thus, in the action-mechanism, and relatively to the action-bar, saidv retraction-face 5 has, first, a forward movementl and, second, has a rearward movement; and these movements take place in succession, and by reversely swinging movements about the two axes 6 and 61 respectively; the irst movement taking place before, and the second one after the beginning of the upstroke of the main elevator-member.

'On its back-stroke the action-bar carries along with it the reserve cartridges, so that the rearmostcartridge as X1, Fig. 2, is then transported backwardly in and with the action-bar 27 until, on the first part of the forward movement of this breech-block (Fig. 4), the cartridge lies its whole length back of the barrel 24, and directly below the then open space 55, througlrwhich' the cartridge is to be elevated into the loadingchamber R forward of and in engagement with the block 25, ready for being` forced into the barrel, as in Fig. 7. During this latter operation the action-bar moves forward to its initial position (Fig. 2) but the cartridges, if any, now in reserve are held back by the follower 51 actuated by the usual magazine s ring, and are prevented from following urther backward by the vstop device,y as 9, which is so located that the retractor-elevator when in its extreme -forward position will engage in the headgroove ready thereby to positively retract this cartridge, as X1, on the next rearward movement of the action bar. i

While the main transfer member 60 is in its retracted or lower position (Fig. 2), the 100 rearwardly-facing Hange-engaging face 5 of the supplemental member 5, is depressed by the cartridge-head, and on being so depressed is also moved rearwardly, whereby to provide for this face 5a engaging the car- 105 tridge flange, as g', in the two positions already stated; and to provide that said face 5, when once engaged with that flange in its lower position, will continue such engagement while the cartridge moves upwardly and 'forwardly into the transfer position, Fig. 4. As one suitable manner of providing for thatv movement of said face 5a, I preferably arrange the member 5 to have a swinging movement on a pivot or axis, as 6. This form of that member also provides in ay favorable way for the proper depression of said member by the cartridge head, as will be evident from Fig. 9. v

On ring the gun, the recoil operates 120 `through the positive. engagement of the member 5 with the head-rim g to forcibly carry the rearward or leading 'cartridge X1 backward with the action-mechanism, and tends withdraw for an instant the point ,ung cartridge away from the head of the vnext forward cartridge X2, so that yfor the moment a small space may be formed (similarly as shown in Fig. 3) by reason c? .suddenness of the recoil and o5 er combined, the one against'the other, 'for the inertia of the cartridges in the magazine. In some situations, especiaiiy when :several cartridges ane in the magazine and the gon is aimed downwardly, the amount of that open .space may be considerable. .i no1-nml result following that action is for the negazine spring to drive back the .second certlidge and so cause this to strike a sharp .blow against the point Z of said .iii-st cartridge, and im :some instances this blow, except for :the described preiiminary inciimimg of said leading cart' relativi/el?,y to the oiiowing-carrtridge, would .be suiiicient to time the printer of said second lor foiiowingcartridge X2. To prevent .that accident is one of the objects of any present improvements and for this purpose among others, I

bave so organized the mechanism that the tending or rearward cartridge may be inclined to a safety position and also iatohed into a positive engagwient with the actionbar mechanism, in :advance of the ring of the gun, While one cartridge, as X1, Fig. 3,y

is being drawn beckwardly as tar as the said loading position :shown in 4f, a

@Rowing-cartridge, X2, closely foilows said iirst cartridge X1 .and normally :bears against the point ttreaeof.l And ibi-s foiiowing move'- snent orf vsaid second cartridge X2 would continne to a more rearward position except for :Suitable means whereby to arrest that backward movement oi this following can,

tridge at` or just before reaching said ioading posltaon. By providing such means-as for insten, the stop @,located and operable for so arresting the said following cartridgein that manner, 3, i avoid the excess-movement beckwardiy, .and the oorresponding forward or return movement,

which this cartridge X2, would otherwise.

have. Thus die cartridges in the magazine ane prevented from havingany considembie reciprocatory movement o1" stroke backwardly and 'forwardly in' the magazine, so that those cartridges now haveonly the necessary successive rearward movements in the magazine and' relatively to the. loading position.

Another feature of the operation lof the cartridge controlling device and combina.- ti-ons, is the manner in which a cartridge vice, is released from such detained position' while under the pressure of the rearwardlyacting magazine spring and during the forward azi-oke of the action-mechanism, for thereby driving or impelling 4the cartridge bsckwerdly against the forwardly moving retraction-engineman devices and to the rearward end o? the magazine-tube By this meals two oppositely--acting forcesthe rearwardly-acting momentum of the carfridge and the forwardly-acting mommtmn of the actiori-uxeehanism,-are concentrated .dla after being detained by the guide-stop' de' Yaffter 'support and offset the cartridge while this thereby quickly and forcibly 'delivering the said released cartridge to its proper retraction-location in the magazine tube, and for thereby obtainingl the maximum power to depress the retraction-member and carry the head-Harige of the cartridge into looked cngegement therewith. The result of this peculiar Inode of action is to locate and retain the cartridge lsecurely in retractionposition, and also primer-saety position, at or betore the instant the sear-locxk-retractor operates for releasing the scar, so that the said newly piaceri cartridge is secured position fully'ready for retraction, (and rior :elevation or transfer when, later, retracted), before the preceding cartridge then in the barrel, can be red. Thus-the said newly-placed or tending cartridgeis safe-guarded by the swr-loci: and the action-bar-lockegainst the shock of dring irntii sach time as tzh-islcading 1cartridge snail have been protected .and secured against displacement thereby. F or aiding in the accomplishment of these purposes, the sear-l-ock-retraotor is arranged to be heid retracted by the ina-in actuator B until the instant after the foiiowing-cartrdge (X1, Fig. 9) has been guided into primersafety position against thepoint of the lead-y ing cartridge' (X2, Fig. 2). By this means, also, the shock or impact by the one `said cantridge against the other, due to the sud-r den stopping of the leading cartridge, is deiayeduntil after said primer-safety position of these mtridges is reached.

The tirn` of the release of the detained cartridge i152, Fig. 8), relatively to and during the forward stroke of the actionmecllanism, is regulated by the iongitudinal position of the guide-stop faces 10 and 10a and the location of the rearward end, (see Fig. 9) of the cartridge-biting guide 8, relativeiy to the iength of said stroke; and by ,the distance from the rearward end of the magazine-tube. lThis location of said :tace 8 is such, in the preferred organization herein illustratedhat this'face operates on the for-ward stroke of the action-mechanism, til-st to velease the detained cartridge (Fig. 9), and later to co-act with the other cartridge-locating means .by u lifting the midporion of the cartri ge, thus serving ihe manner of a fuicrum Whereon to is inciined into primer-safety position. The proportionate length of said llfter or guide 3.20 8, amd the relative locations of this face and of the forward end 8, are herein so :arranged that said faces or bearings 8 and .8a come into action for the respective purposes described, in a suitable timing and order of 125 succession. In these operations, in the particular arrangement herein illustrated, said {w1-ward face 8-oome)s tulthethcartrigge-revease sition F' 9 w 'e e ie-stop devicel'nis in itsrele-ward position giilllad 'gvii'iie` 130 the action-mechanism is moving forwardly; andsaid forward lifting-face 8al comes into operation, as regards the following-cartridge, when the guide-stop is in its forward position and while the action-mechanism is moving rearwardly, these two operations taking place before the completion of those reverse-strokes, respectively, of the action mechanism, and the -guide-stop device D being shifted the distance of its working stroke after the beginning of said operations by a movement concurrent with the terminalpart of the corresponding movements of the action-mechanism.

The action-mechanism is shown as having a working stroke about equal to the length of the cartridge plus the length of the guideface 10 of the guide-stop, plus the stroke of the guide stop. And in the system of cartridge-placing or cartridge-inclining faces, the initial lifting-face 8a is located about one cartridge-length from the depressorface 3, and thosefaces are located about oppositely to each other relatively to the magazine axis. Also, the stop-face or initial depression face 10a of the guide-stopi D 1s similarly located relatively to said forward or initial lifting-face 8a being about opposite thereto relatively to the magazine axis, and, by reason of the mode of operation, in

. view of the long stroke of the action-mechanism, said forward, lower llifting-face 8* goes about one cartridge-length forwardly of said upper stop or depressionface 10, Fig. 1, and then goes rearwardly of that depression-face by about the length of the guide-face 10. Thus the relative forward and rearward positions of those two stop faces are twice reversed during each complete cycle of their movements. This systeni of cartridge-inclining guides and stopfaces, thus comprises, in its complete form, those two eoperating but reversely acting cartridge-head-shifting faces 8a and 10"; the two oppositely-disposed guide faces including the upper guide-face `10 and the lower guide-bearing or supporting face 8 located about midway ofthe length of the leading cartridge X1 when this is in `its initial r'etraction position, Fig. 1; and the depressor face or incline 3 at the head of said leading-cartridge, but in some instances some one or more of these details may be'modied or omitted, within the scope` of my present invention.

A further feature is that when the actionmechanism is in the forward or firing position, the retraction-face 5a, comes forward to a position under the guide-face 10 of the guide-stop, and is then opposite thereto relatively to the magazine-axis, and then coacts directly with that guide-face 10- and with the depression-face 10, and also, in connection with those two faces, coacts with the midwayl supporting guide-bearing 8 for thereby first shifting or inclining the leading cartridge into the primer-safety position, and the holding this cartridge securely locked in that position during the firing of a loaded-in cartridge, as indicated in Fig. 1.

While the distance transversely of the magazine-axis, (see Fig. 3) between the initial depression face 102 and the said forward lifting-face 8a should be less than the diameter of the cartridge head, and while the same relation should also obtain as beitween the upper guide-face 10 and the lower guide-bearing 8, the passing of this bearing forward of said guide-face and initial depression-face, as in Fig. 9, operates to release the then leading cartridge X2, which is thus permitted to assume the retraction-position, as X1, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus, on the full forward stroke of the action-mechanism, the pair of faces 8 and 8a (the guidebearing and the lifting-face) is carried forward of the guide-stop faces. 10 and 10a while on the full rearward stroke, said pair of faces 8 and 8a is carried rearward of those guide-stop faces; and thus said pairs of faces reverse their longitudinal position relatively to each other twice during each complete cycle of their movements.

As a further result of those operations, the forward lifting face 8a comes into alinement during the rearward stroke thereof, with the initial depression-face 10, as well shown in Fig. 3, and thus acts to positively intercept the next following cartridge X2 (as there indicated) thus allowing the direct co-action of the guide-bearing 8, the depressor-guide 3 and the supplement elevatordevice 5 (and while this remains in retraction-engagement with the flange g of the leading cartridge X1) to upwardly shift the leading cartridge (transversely of the magazine axis) into its initial elevation position (Fig. et). Thus the upper and lower detent faces 10@L and 8a are brought into co-action during the middle part of the rearward stroke of the action-mechanism Vand that coaction is followed at once by the shifting (transversely to its own axis and'to the magazine axis)l of the leading cartridge from its initial retraction-position (Fig. 2) 115 to its nal retraction-position just preceding, Fig. 4, and from a direct control b y the `retraction-face 5a and the depressor-face 3, to the direct and positive control of the retraction-face 5a coacting with the guide 55 120 comino' into the head-groove forward of the headange g.

'ln the operation of the system of cartridge-inclining faces as above explained, the upper and forward' depression face 109L is 125 also a stop-face for a next following cartridge (Fig. 8) when the lower and forward` lifting-face'Sal is located forwardly of said depression-face; and, similarly, the liftingface. 8El is and has the function of a'stop- 13o 

